To One Thing Constant Never

PART THE SECOND (the audition)

"O god of love!" Virginia Weasley's tiny voice echoed throughout the Great Hall. "I know he doth deserve as much as may be yielded to a man, but Nature never framed a woman's heart of prouder stuff than that of Beatrice!"

Her older brother Ron, sitting at the Gryffindor table, snorted.

"Ron!" Hermione hissed, shooting him a disapproving glance. "Honestly, I don't know why you even came to auditions if you insist on showing so much disrespect to the people who are auditioning."

"But it's Ginny!" Ron shrugged.

"Nonetheless," Hermione's eyes narrowed as she lectured her friend, "it's rude. It takes a lot of nerve to get up there in front of everyone."

"Miss Granger and Mister Weasley!" Professor Snape snapped suddenly, startling both fifth-years. "Perhaps, since both of you are so fond of speaking out of turn, the two of you would like to volunteer to read the next scene?"

Ron's eyes grew to the size of saucers and he shook his head violently.

The professor eyed them coolly. "That wasn't a request. Up here, now."

The pair marched (or, in Ron's case, trudged) to the front of the Hall, taking a moment to collect their scripts before McGonagall announced, "Act II, scene one, line 123. Benedick and Beatrice. Now!"

"Will you not tell me who told you so?" Hermione immediately inquired of Ron, briefly confounding the red-haired boy.

"Told you wha . . . ?" Shaking, he finally located the correct page. "Oh . . . Noyoushallpardonme," he mumbled flatly.

"Nor will you not tell me who you are?" Hermione eyed him skeptically, quickly getting into the character of the Lady Beatrice.

"Notnow."

"That I was disdainful, and that I had my wit out of 'The Hundred Merry Tales!'" the girl said, turning away. "Well, this was Signior Benedick that said so."

"Whatishe."

At this she laughed scornfully, and Ron shook so nervously that he nearly dropped his book. "Why, he is the Prince's jester, a very dull fool; only his gift is in devising iimpossible slanders. None but libertines delight in him, and the commendation is not in his wit but in his villainy, for he both pleases mena nd angers them, and then they laugh at him and beat him. I am sure he is in the fleet. I would he had boarded me."

The remainder of the scene continued in this fashion, with Hermione effortlessly playing the part of the proud Lady Beatrice, and Ron mumbling Benedick's lines with little or no emotion.

"Thank you both," McGonagall said, collecting both scripts as the pair turned to go back to their seats. She looked over her list of auditionees briefly. "Next, George Weasley. And . . . Hm." She paused a moment, thinking. "Miss Granger, could you please come back here and read with Mr. Weasley?"

At the conclusion of the evening, the students returned to their respective houses. In the Gryffindor common room, Ron collapsed onto the sofa.

"That was the most awful, embarassing experience of my life!" he groaned. "Gods, Hermione, why did you have to drag me to that?"

Harry, however, had a different opinion.

"Wow, 'Mione, you were incredible!" He grinned. "Why didn't you tell us you could act?"

Hermione shrugged sheepishly, before sending an icy glare Ron's way and heading off to her dorm.

The next morning at breakfast the Great Hall was abuzz with speculation regarding the results of the previous night's auditions. The speculation ended, however, when Headmaster Dumbledore stood up. An anxious hush fell over the room.

"Professors Snape, McGonagall and I have discussed last night's auditions and feel comfortable in announcing the following results," Dumbledore began. "Please hold all applause until Professor McGonagall is finished reading off all the names. I trust many of you will be pleased. Professor McGonagall?"

"The role of Hero," McGonagall announced, "will be played by Virginia Weasley. Don Pedro, the prince, will be played by Seamus Finnigan. Don John will be played by Mister Draco Malfoy. The role of Count Claudio will be played by Harry Potter. Signior Benedick will be played by George Weasley. The role of Lady Beatrice," the professor paused momentarily to smile, "will be portrayed by Miss Hermione Granger."

McGonagall continued to read the seemingly never-ending list of actors who would be participating in the first-ever Hogwarts school play. At the conclusion of the annoucements, a deafening roar of applause filled the Great Hall.

Dumbeldore stood once more. "For those of you who were not cast, there are still many opportunities to help out on the play. There are many places available for stagehands and other technical crews. But for those of you who were cast . . . " he smiled, "rehearsals will begin tonight with a read-through, and will be held every Monday through Thursday night, immediately following dinner to eight o'clock. Thank you to all who auditioned."

Hermione sat in shock, even as Harry clapped her on the back in congratulations.